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Allen W Song

Professor in Radiology
Radiology
Brain Imaging and Analysis Ctr, Box 3918, Durham, NC 27710
40 Duke Medicine Circle, Davison 414, Box 3918, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


The research in our lab is concerned with advancing structural and functional MRI methodologies (e.g. fast and high-resolution imaging techniques) for human brain imaging. We also aim to improve our understanding of functional brain signals, including spatiotemporal characterizations of the blood oxygenation level dependent contrast and alternative contrast mechanisms that are more directly linked to the neuronal activities. Additional effort is invested in applying and validating the developed methods to study human functional neuroanatomy.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor in Radiology · 2006 - Present Radiology, Clinical Science Departments
Director of the Center for Brain Imaging and Analysis · 2006 - Present Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Institutes and Centers
Professor of Biomedical Engineering · 2006 - Present Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering
Professor in Neurobiology · 2007 - Present Neurobiology, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · 2021 - Present Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences · 2008 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published June 26, 2015
Allen Song Named Interim Director of Brain Institute
Published October 13, 2014
NIH Getting Serious About the Brain
Published September 30, 2014
Duke Researchers Among the First Funded In President’s BRAIN Initiative

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Recent Publications


Higher spatial resolution diffusion-weighted imaging improves characterization of white matter disconnection in Alzheimer's disease.

Journal Article Imaging Neurosci (Camb) · 2026 In addition to the accumulation of neuropathologies (i.e., amyloid beta, neurofibrillary tangles), Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with the degradation of white matter (WM) structural pathways that connect distributed brain regions. However, previou ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

The Consortium for Clarity in ADRD Research Through Imaging (CLARiTI): Overview of consortium sites and anticipated enrollment.

Journal Article Alzheimers Dement · November 2025 INTRODUCTION: The Consortium for Clarity in Alzheimer's disease related dementias (ADRD) Research Through Imaging (CLARiTI) is a study that aims to collect standardized imaging and plasma biomarkers on 2000 Clinical Core participants enrolled across all Al ... Full text Link to item Cite

Study Protocol: Single-Blinded, Controlled, Clinical Trial Evaluating the Feasibility of Spinal Cord Stimulation for Improving Neuropathic Pain and Rehabilitation Outcomes in Patients With Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury.

Journal Article Neurosurg Pract · June 2025 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Traumatic thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) is complicated by chronic neuropathic pain and neurological deficits including bowel and bladder dysfunction. Treatment with spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has demonstrated possible util ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Neurobiology Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2024 - 2029

Integrated RF/Shim/WiFi Coil Array for High-Resolution Diffusion MRI in the Brain and Spinal Cord

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2024 - 2028

Wireless MRI with a stand-alone, platform-independent wireless integrated radio-frequency/shim coil array and cloud-based data processing workflow

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering · 2024 - 2028

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Education


Medical College of Wisconsin · 1995 Ph.D.